And Now, the Caller on Line Two

Every now and again, Alan Stock invites me to join him on his KXNT News Radio morning show to discuss traffic and transportation. After joining Stock last week, I promised to address callers’ traffic-related questions. We are still working on some of the queries, but here are a couple answers I was able to dig up.

February 3, 2010 - 10:00 pm

Every now and again, Alan Stock invites me to join him on his KXNT News Radio morning show to discuss traffic and transportation. After joining Stock last week, I promised to address callers’ traffic-related questions. We are still working on some of the queries, but here are a couple answers I was able to dig up.

This from a caller tired of slow-moving scooters on our roadway: What is the law regarding those motor scooters so many people are riding these days. I see them all the time with no license plates; is that legal?

Because of rising gasoline costs, you see more and more of those on the roads. According to Las Vegas police, scooters with engines smaller than 50 cubic centimeters do not need to be registered. However the operator must have a valid Nevada driver’s license.

Another caller noted that he sees motorists sweep across several lanes to get to a turn lane on the opposite side of the road. He inquired about the laws regarding such behavior.

The motorist must signal his intent and be sure he can safely change lanes before proceeding into the next lane. If a motorist crosses multiple travel lanes at a time, he can be ticketed because it is unlikely that the turn signal was turned on and the driver was able to ensure no traffic was coming before moving ahead.

Anthony is frustrated: On Whitney Ranch Drive between Arroyo Grande Boulevard and Sunset Road, there are cones, and the road is reduced to one lane in each direction, yet there is nobody ever working there. Why?

Anthony, the folks at the city of Henderson said the cones on Whitney Ranch were there to provide a protected working area for contractors hired by homeowners to replace concrete block walls along that stretch of street. Most of the work has been completed so the barricades should be removed soon. However, they might pop up again in the near future. When the remaining homeowners pull permits to replace their walls, the city will erect cones and barricades again to provide for a safer work zone.

An anonymous reader asks: I recently received a speeding ticket on my way back to Las Vegas from California, the first one in over 20 years. I had a small “Flip” camcorder next to me when I saw the California Highway Patrol vehicle behind me and thought of turning it on just in case I got pulled over, which I did. The officer said I was “clocked at 81 mph,” but wrote the ticket for 91 mph. If the camera had been on, I would at least have the chance to refute the ticket. Is it legal to have a camera rolling while being ticketed?

It is absolutely legal to film an officer approaching your vehicle and writing out a ticket, according to Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Joseph Fackrell.

“We have no expectation of privacy during that time,” Fackrell said. The trooper also noted that it’s been done plenty, and it’s not unusual to see those videos pop up on YouTube.

Janet has Department of Motor Vehicle concerns: I went to register my vehicle today and was asked for a proof of insurance card. It seems to me that the last time I bought a car and registered it, I was given a week or so to insure it. Has something changed?

Yes Janet, the new laws regarding proof of insurance went into effect on Monday. The new law requires motorists to present their proof of insurance cards at renewals, registration reinstatements and license plate changes.

That’s part of the DMV’s attempt to reduce the number of uninsured drivers in our state.

A 2008 study showed that 15 percent of the state’s motorists had no insurance.

DMV clerks will now capture your insurance information and confirm it with your insurance company right there at the counter.

If you have a question, tip or tirade, call Adrienne Packer at (702) 387-2904, or send an e-mail to roadwarrior@reviewjournal.com. Include your phone number.

Over the next five months, watch for lane restrictions on Village Center Circle, on Hills Center Drive between Village Center and Lake Mead Boulevard, and on Town Center Drive between Village Center and Summerlin Parkway. Traffic restrictions along with sidewalk closures could be in effect around the clock on weekdays. City of Las Vegas crews are resurfacing the roads and replacing gutters, curbs and sidewalks.

Expect lane closures and shifting on Craig Road for the next eight weeks as the city of North Las Vegas begins converting the Craig Ranch Golf Course into a regional park. The city is installing sewer and water lines below the eastbound lanes of Craig.

Over the next 10 months, road closures are expected on portions of McWilliams Avenue, Ninth Street and Encanto Drive as the city of Las Vegas begins work on the new Neon Boneyard Park on Monday. The park will be on the east side of Las Vegas Boulevard at McWilliams. Residents of that neighborhood will continue to have access to those streets.

Watch for various lane restrictions as sewer rehabilitation projects continue in a 4-square-mile area roughly bounded by Desert Inn Road, Flamingo Road, Stephanie Street and Mountain Vista Street. Sewer work is also ongoing near the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus along Harmon Avenue west to Koval Lane; and near Desert Breeze Park along West Twain Avenue.

North Fifth is closed from Lake Mead Boulevard to Las Vegas Boulevard. Main Street is closed from Las Vegas Boulevard to Owens Avenue. Keep an eye out for detour signs because the closures are expected to last another four months.
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL